Tag Archives: local musicians

Friends at Fratello’s

Posted on August 10, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I feel sure regular readers expected me to go to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for music and food as I often do on a Wednesday.  Indeed I did and I had a wonderful time.

They were still setting up when I made my obligatory Facebook post inviting others to join us.

Perhaps not as good a picture as I had hoped, but one must make do.

My work friend Kathy joined me.  We sat at the bar and ordered food and drinks.  These things are always more fun with a friend.  I introduced her to my nephew-in-law, Matt, who was there with some of his family.

Speaking of friends, musician Justin Smithson, who I have heard and enjoyed before, was joined by two friends, Dave Hawthorn and Steve Webb.  They were excellent.

They were great!

The first picture was taken with my phone.  Later I took a couple with my Tablet.

A different angle.

I bumped into another patron while taking the second picture.  She was very nice about it.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.  They have music other days as well.  I may have to eat out more often.  For one reason, it makes a good blog post.  Or do I flatter myself?

 

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My Cinco de Mayo

Posted on May 6, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I inadvisedly decided to do something for Cinco de Mayo, a holiday which for one reason or another I have never marked.  One reason was that I read that Matt Grainger was playing at the Saalty Dawg Saloon.  I have not heard him in a while.

I started out in some trepidation, because I have been to the Saalty Dawg once, and that time my cell phone told my friend Kim where to drive.  I no longer have a cell phone and I have never had a very good sense of direction.  Hoping for the best, I drove through Ilion till I got to the sign that said “Saalty Dawg” and pointed up Barringer Road.

And drove and drove.  I had it in my head that the Dawg was not actually on Barringer Road, but I had foolishly not written down the address.  I took two wrong turns, turned around in some dumb places, and had just about decided that I had gone too far when I found it.

Imagine my disappointment when I found out Matt would not start playing till eight.  I had a margarita and some chips with queso dip while I was there.  I admired the view and worked on a letter to a friend.

I didn’t mention that the Saalty Dawg is next to a golf course.

By this time it was after six (still too long to wait for eight), and I remembered that the Phil-Ins were playing at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort.  This is a band with Phil Arcuri and friends.  They would start at seven.  I drove there with no false starts.

Geno the bartender greeted me as I came in. I sat at the bar and ordered Sauvignon Blanc and a slice of cheesecake.  I never have room for dessert so thought for once I would get some.  I did not have long to wait for some good music.

They were great!

Unfortunately, my stomach soon let me know that the queso dip was a big mistake.  I confess to having some fears when I saw the peppers but of course I ate it anyways.  In my defense, yum.  I hoped the cheesecake would help.  It sounded soothing.

I fear it is a symptom of getting old that my stomach did not settle down.  I enjoyed some music but felt forced to head home.  I stretched out on my bed (by this time it took some effort to get there) and proceeded to feel miserable for a few hours.  That is why I did not make my Lame Post Friday post on Friday.

On the brighter side, before I left Fratello’s, Geno read me some of their upcoming musical entertainment.  Matt Grainger plays on Wednesday!

 

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Too Busy to Blog?

Posted on April 6, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

So yesterday was a Wuss-out Wednesday,  blog-wise.  I went for a walk in the morning and a run in the afternoon.  I had a Mohawk Valley Adventure of going to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort for music and food.  And I took some pictures of crocuses in my back yard.

But I did not make a blog post about any of it.  What the hell, me?

Now it is Thursday morning, and I contemplate the coming day with dread.  How’s that for a little bit of melodrama?  I need to get over myself.  Never mind, let’s get on with the blog post.

I knew it wouldn’t be a great picture, but I had to try.

On my morning walk, I admired the full moon.  Full disclosure:  I like to see the moon at whatever phase it is in.

I love to see them every year!

I felt the need to take pictures of all the crocuses that were there.  It occurred to me that some people might shame me for it (you know who you are): “We all know what a crocus looks like.  We see them every year.”  Like how some people don’t want to keep seeing pictures of the snow.  I can’t worry about those people now.

They were awesome.

This is the new to me band I heard at Fratello’s:  Gridley Paige Naked and Scared.  I loved them.

So once again I give you a blog post about what I could have written a blog post about.  At least it was over 200 words.

 

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I Loves Me Some Posers!

Posted on August 16, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

For one reason and another, I have not made it to the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown this summer.  I was moved to remedy the error when I heard the Posers were playing tonight.  I had to at least stop down and listen to a few tunes.

The pavilion makes a good stage.

The first thing I did when the music started was to take a picture of the band and post it on Facebook, inviting folks to come one down.  I sat at one of the picnic tables with a couple of other fans and settled down to enjoy.  I must say, Herkimer really has it going on for its food truck night.  The picnic tables are handy, and the trees provide shade which I really appreciate.

Full disclosure:  I did not get anything to eat.  I was there for the music!  I saw a table at which a lady was selling sunflowers of various sizes and colors.  Of course I don’t know from flowers, so perhaps they were not actually sunflowers but some sort of cousin.  This is the sort of thing I only could have gone over and asked, but, well, sorry, my bad.

I tried to get all three front men.

I was soon tapping my foot and chair dancing (picnic table bench dancing?), but I had to get up and boogey down to “Stuck in the Middle With You” (is that the title or just the lyrics?  No matter, if you know the song, you know what I mean).  Yes, I was the only one dancing at the time.  Hey, I don’t let it stop me in the supermarket, I am not going to let it stop me when it is one of my favorite bands playing!  I also danced to a Tom Petty song, “Listen to Her Heart.”  Announcing that one, the guy said, “We tend to play a lot of music by dead people, so in keeping with that vein, here’s one by Tom Petty.”  I loves me some Tom Petty!

And how could I neglect my favorite bass player?

 

The drummer is pretty awesome, too!

I did not stay as long as I would have liked to, but I am feeling rather tired.  I was happy I got to hear what I did, though. I might return on future Mondays to hear other local musicians.  I know I have already missed some good ones!  Also, I would also like to purchase a couple of those flowers that look like sunflowers.

The Herkimer Downtown Chowdown runs through the end of September, Mondays from 4 to 8 p.m.in Meyers Park.  You can check out their Facebook page to see who is playing.

 

 

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Tired Post about Good Music

Posted on October 6, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’m thinking nobody will be particularly surprised to see a Tired Tuesday post from Mohawk Valley Girl. Unless it is actually Wednesday by the time you are reading this. I have no control over these things. I can only be happy anybody is reading me at all.

Where was I? Never mind that, just tnrow in a picture.

Good music, yes!

Sunday we went to Iron Rock Brewing Company in Little Falls, NY, to enjoy music by Phil Arcuri. We had a wonderful time. Perhaps too good a time, which might explain why I was so tired on Monday. What is my excuse today?

More of Phil’s fans.

When I asked people at the bar if I could take their picture for my blog post, the guy with the beard asked for $500.

“I do not have $500,” I said.

“In that case, go ahead and take the picture,” he said. I felt this was very gracious of him. The other patrons and the bartender were equally as gracious.

One more of Phil.

It is so fun to hear Phil Arcuri play, because he is obviously having so much fun. We enjoyed ourselves a lot. And as always we enjoyed the atmosphere and service at Iron Rock.

Iron Rock Brewing Company is located at 56 West Mill St., Little Falls, NY, phone number 315-508-5313. They are open 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, 12 to 10 p.m. Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

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It’s The Posers!

Posted on September 21, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

No doubt you have heard of Wordless Wednesday. Well, yesterday I was going to attempt a Silent Sunday. I succeeded beyond expectations by not posting at all. Oops. Today I will try for a Mute Monday and use some of the pictures I took last weekend.

It’s The Posers!

These were taken at The Brass Tack in Frankfort, NY, last Friday., where my husband, Steve, and I enjoyed music by The Posers. Yay!

The bass and drums are the backbone of the band.
But everyone is important to the sound.
He was tickled, or perhaps playing by ear.

A wonderful time was had by all.

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Good Evening, Not Much Post

Posted on September 9, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

Steven and I just got back from Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY, where we enjoyed music from Max Scialdone.

He is fine, yes.

My problem is one I often experience: now that I have had a Mohawk Valley Adventure, I am too tired to write about it. I shall share another picture and post this as a Preview of Coming Attractions. Or perhaps a Wuss-out Wednesday. You decide.

I love his musical stylings.

I feel certain, my readers will forgive me. Or do I mistake the matter?

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We Chow Down in Herkimer

Posted on August 17, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

Steven and I have been wanting to go to the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown for a while now. Tonight we finally made it.

Lots of choices!

We enjoyed the music from the band while we scanned the food trucks, deciding on our repast.

Nice lady!

I must return next week to purchase a t-shirt. I chatted with Melody Couchman, the volunteer selling them. She graciously allowed me to take her picture. She told me the band was called Last Left. We agreed that ’70’s and ’80’s music was great.

I wish I had gotten a better picture of the band.

We really enjoyed Last Left. Another local band to watch for! When I walked by to take a picture, I saw that Herkimer High School Class of 1983 was the sponsor of tonight’s event. I think my high school class ought to sponsor something!

Another local business to check out.

We both felt full from dinner. However, after looking at some of the stuff offered by the Mad Batter Bakery (don’t you just love that name?), we reconsidered. Steven had a chocolate filled finger, and I had a plain donut. Then we were really stuffed!

I could have sat and listened to the band longer, but we needed to get home. For one reason, I wanted to make this blog post. I was happy to see so many people out enjoying the evening and the event. We also saw a lot of cute dogs. Altogether a very enjoyable time.

The Herkimer Downtown Chowdown is held every Monday, June to October, from 4 to 8 p.m. in Myers Park in Herkimer, NY.

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Late Post about The Posers

Posted on August 11, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have mentioned our favorite band, The Posers. The best Friday night we had in a long time was the night we went to see them at the Mohawk American Legion.

These guys rock!

The event took place in the parking lot. Food and drink was available. I had some salt potatoes while Steven had a hot dog. But of course the main draw was the music.

I danced around, clicking.
Drummer and bass, the backbone of the band.
Steve busting a move.

As you can see by Steven’s ensemble, it was one of the cooler evenings. We had a blast, though. I’m glad I finally wrote something about it.

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Pre-Posers Post

Posted on July 31, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

This is a posthaste post (an old-fashioned word you rarely hear these days, but I love the play on words). Steven and I are about to head out to the Mohawk, NY American Legion to hear our favorite local band, The Posers. They play music from the ’80’s and earlier. So danceable! So fun!

Steven may not be able to dance much; he is still not back to 100 percent. I said he can be like Jack Lemmon dancing with Joe E. Brown in Some Like It Hot, posing dramatically while I dance around him.

May be an image of 2 people
He’s so fine.

This is not the shot I had in mind, so you will have to use your imagination. They were doing the tango. I guess Steven and I are unlikely to tango tonight, but you never know.

Yes, this is a silly post. Luckily for me, it is Lame Post Friday. I’m allowed to be silly! I know, what is my excuse the rest of the time? I could expound upon how it is an empty exercise to offer excuses. That would entail some half-baked philosophy, in which I often indulge on Lame Post Friday. However, I shall not try your patience in such a fashion.

Let us call this, in addition to a Lame Post Friday post, a Preview of Coming Attractions. I will write about the good time I feel sure we are about to have. I also owe my readers a write-up of listening to Phillip Arcuri the other night. Lots of local music lately! Lucky us!

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